03 January 2024

Q1. Recently launched ‘UPAg Portal’ addresses key challenges in the:

(a) Agriculture sector

(b) Defense sector

(c) Tele-Communication

(d) Coal Mining

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: The Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics (UPAg Portal – http://www.upag.gov.in) was officially launched recently.
• The UPAg Portal addresses key challenges in agriculture data, including lack of standardization, verification, dispersion, and different update frequencies.

Q2. With reference to India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, consider the following statements:

1. It was the first biosphere reserve in India established in 1975.
2. It is located in the Western Ghats.
3. It falls under the biogeographic region of the Malabar rain forest.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a biosphere reserve in the Nilgiri Mountains of the Western Ghats in South India. It is the largest protected forest area in India, spreading across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.
• It includes the protected areas Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu; Nagarhole National Park, Bandipur National Park, both in Karnataka; Silent Valley National Park, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, and Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala.
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was established in September 1986 and is India’s first biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme/
• Context: A Supreme Court-appointed committee has declared 12 private resorts along the Segur elephant corridor illegal.

Q3. Which of the following are in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve?

(a) Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

(b) Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Silent Valley National Park

(c) Kaundinya, Gundla Brahme-swaram and Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Mukurthi National Park

(d) Kawal and Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is an International Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills ranges of South India
• It includes the Aralam, Mudumalai, Mukurthi, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Silent Valley national parks, as well as the Wayanad, Karimpuzha, and Sathyamangalam wildlife sanctuaries.

Q4. In which of the following states is Anamudi Shola National Park located?

(a) Kerala

(b) Tamil Nadu

(c) Karnataka

(d) Andhra Pradesh

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: The Munnar Wildlife Division in Idukki, India, has successfully transformed the Pazhathottam area in the Anamudi Shola National Park from a burnt-out land filled with exotic tree species into a lush 50-hectare forest.
• This eco-restoration project carried out with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), removed exotic species and planted natural grass, revitalizing the area.

Q5. Tonga is located in the:

(a) North Atlantic Sea

(b) South Atlantic Sea

(c) North Pacific Sea

(d) South Pacific Sea

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Tonga is located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is an island nation situated in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, east of Fiji, north of New Zealand, and west of Samoa. Tonga is part of the region known as Polynesia and consists of numerous islands and islets, with the main island being Tongatapu. Its capital city is Nuku’alofa.